Basically I have two hobbies. I am both addicted to reading & buying gorgeous books. I want to have a nice library with classics to pass on to my future children. It just makes me happy seeing all those shelves.
So I prefer buying books in English since it’s the most spoken language but I prefer reading in my own language (Dutch). Is it weird to buy them in English but to borrow them from the library to read in dutch?
I just feel like I’m wasting my money because I don’t even read the specific books I bought and have them in case I want to re-read. But then I think spending money on books is never wasted.
Basically I want confirmation that I’m not wasting my money and maybe to know others do the same so I don’t feel bad lol
As a wise man once said: Reading books and collecting books are two entirely different hobbies!
For the first 19 years of my life, I had a home library that consisted mostly of books translated into my native language. Then, I started my degree in English Language and Literature. Naturally, I bought all of my essential reading in English, but for some I also bought the translated version, so I could better comprehend the story (especially when it comes to books written in archaic English). So that is how I started my English book collection.
However, starting college in a big city also meant better access to books. I am now in my third year and I have accumulated a significant number of books in English, not just for my degree, but also for casual reading. So now my book buying politics looks something like this:
If the book was written in English and I can buy it in that language, I will do so.
If the book was written in a language close to my native language, I will buy a translated copy.
If the book was written in a language that is neither English, nor anything close to my mother tongue, I will buy whichever copy is more affordable.
Now, this practice has proven to be quite good so far. However, there will always be books that I’ll read in one language and love them so much that I absolutely need to own a copy in the other language. Luckily, there are not too many of those, so I can just ask people to get them for me for Christmas or my birthday.
That is also one reason why I am terrified of libraries - I’ll want to own each and every book that I like, so I might as well just purchase them in the first place.
All of that being said, everyone’s book buying habits are different, and I advise you to follow your heart regarding this issue. If you can afford the English editions, I encourage you to go on with your practice! And, in the end, at least you are not purchasing the same book twice, so you still have some financial balance. (And even if you did buy double copies, no one has the right to judge you for it.)
Happy reading!